News

Friday News, June 29

Motorcylce Accident Near Akron

(Akron) -- Akron Fire and Rescue Department responded to a motorcycle accident yesterday afternoon at about 3:00 p.m. Little is known about the accident at this time other than it happened at the intersection of Highway 3 and county road K-22. The accident victim was airlifted to Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City.

Drowning Victim Identified

(Storm Lake) -- Authorities in Buena Vista County have released the name of the suspected drowning victim at the Little Sioux River near Linn Grove. He is 30 year old Lithavongsay Nouthavykoun of Storm Lake. Search efforts came up empty yesterday, but the search will continue again today.

Congressman King Disappointed in Supreme Court's Ruling on Health Care

(Washington) -- Iowa Republican Congressman Steve King has long been an opponent of the Affordable Health Care Act calling for its repeal, and following the U-S Supreme Court decision, King says the responsibility falls on Congress to make certain the controversial plan is abandoned. King says he is disappointed with the supreme court's decision. He says the court, through its ruling has perhaps given Congress additional powers through cohersion.

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King further explains his position.

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The Iowa Congressman predicts the nation's republicans will make the repeal of the health care act as their number one issue.

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King says today's supreme court decision is the most important decision to come from the land's highest court since the controversial Roe vs. Wade abortion ruling.

Affordable Health Care Act May Benefit Rural Hospitals

(Le Mars) -- The U-S Supreme Court upheld the provisions of the controversial Affordable Health Care Act, sometimes nicknamed Obamacare. But what does it mean for a rural community hospital like Floyd Valley? Mike Donlin serves as the Floyd Valley Hospital administrator and he says despite the fact the health care law is split nearly fifty-fifty on those who favor and those who oppose the law, there are a number of provisions that benefit rural hospitals.

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Donlin says he will closely monitor the buracracies and the actions of the governing agencies to see how much "watering down" of the bill may occur, or if they keep the provisions strong between now and when the health care act begins in 2014. Some people have argued that doctors and other health care officials may be more selective in the patients that they see due to some of the perceived restrictive rules of the Affordable Health Care Act. Donlin doesn't believe that will happen, at least not in Le Mars and not at Floyd Valley Hospital.

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Hospital Systems Combine to One Health Network

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - Four major hospital systems in Iowa say they are joining together in a new alliance aimed at improving the quality of care while cutting costs. University of Iowa Health Care, Genesis Health System, Mercy Health Network and Mercy-Cedar Rapids announced the alliance during news conferences around the state on Thursday. Hospital leaders say the new University of Iowa Health Alliance will include more than 50 hospitals and 160 clinics. The new group will be a venue for sharing costs such as expensive informationtechnology systems, coordinating patient care and using data to track outcomes and best practices. They say the group was planned before the U.S. Supreme Court ruling Thursday upholding President Barack Obama's health care law, and came in response to market pressures to cut costs and improve outcomes.

Branstad Orders Flags To Fly At Half Staff

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Governor Terry Branstad has ordered flags lowered in Iowa today through Monday to honor a Vietnam War airman whose plane was shot down nearly 50 years ago. Dennis Eilersof Tipton and his crew were missing in action after their plane went down in 1965, and officials identified the crash site this past April. A memorial service for Eilers is tomorrow in Tipton.

Iowa Public Information Board Selected

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Nine people have been named to Iowa's new Public Information Board. The board will oversee enforcement of Iowa's open meetings and records laws, investigate allegedviolations and take claims to court if necessary. Gov. Terry Branstad's office says the nine he's selected are Robert Andeweg, of Urbandale; Tony Gaugan, of West Des Moines; Jo Martin, of Spirit Lake; Andy McKean, of Anamosa; Gary Mohr, of Bettendorf; Bill Monroe, of Johnston; Kathleen Richardson, of Des Moines; Suzan Stewart, of Sioux City; and Peggy Weitl, of Carroll. The new board members begin their terms on Sunday.

Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Act

(Le Mars) -- By a decison of 5 to 4, the U-S Supreme Court upheld the provisions of the controversial Affordable Health Care Act, sometimes nicknamed Obamacare. But what does it mean for a rural community hospital like Floyd Valley? Mike Donlin serves as the Floyd Valley Hospital administrator and he says despite the fact the health care law is split nearly fifty-fifty on those who favor and those who oppose the law, there are a number of provisions that benefit rural hospitals.

Listen here

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Donlin says he will closely monitor the buracracies and the actions of the governing agencies to see how much "watering down" of the bill may occur, or if they keep the provisions strong between now and when the health care act begins in 2014. Some people have argued that doctors and other health care officials may be more selective in the patients that they see due to some of the perceived restrictive rules of the Affordable Health Care Act. Donlin doesn't believe that will happen, at least not in Le Mars and at Floyd Valley Hospital.

Listen here

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